Advanced Technologies
Overview
The Advanced Technologies project is one of the six ground-breaking projects that make up Contra Costa Transportation Authority’s (CCTA’s) INNOVATE 680 program. This program is specifically designed to unify existing systems within the corridor and increase efficiency by addressing corridor wide congestion and long-standing operational challenges along Interstate 680 (I-680) in Contra Costa County. Similar congestion management concepts are in operation around the world and could provide great relief to travelers in our area.
Our Advanced Technologies project will develop a central command center for the corridor. Like the body’s nervous system, the command center will maintain the overall health of the corridor by sending signals to and from its various systems.
Beginning with the development of a centralized data center and system operator, the Advanced Technologies project is paving the way for future integrated systems to manage I-680 (like ramp metering, lane-use signs, and speed limit signs) and arterial roads (traffic signals, electronic message boards) in synchrony.
Goals
BETTER TRAFFIC FLOW
Reduced travel time, fuel consumption, and vehicular emissions
GREATER SAFETY
Fewer accidents and faster responses from emergency responders
IMPROVED RELIABILITY
A resilient system with more predictable trips and less motorist stress
INFORMED DECISIONS
Information supporting travelers’ choices about their travel time, mode, and route
Countywide Connected Data Center
At the core of the Advanced Technologies project is the countywide connected data center, which will house data gathered from other transportation agencies, transit providers, local agencies, high-tech infrastructure, and external partners. This data will:
- Guide system decision-making.
- Adjust traffic signals, speed limit signs, and lane-use signs automatically to absorb the impact of traffic events.
- Alert travelers to changes that may affect their journey via mobile app, roadside electronic message boards, and transit station signs.
In Practice
In San Diego—one of the first places to integrate smart traffic infrastructure, services, and management along a major corridor—travelers saved 1,403 person hours each day during peak periods. Benefits were greatest during high congestion due to major incidents. Projects under the umbrella of advanced technology are benefiting travelers nationwide:
- Varying speed limits to better meet traffic and road conditions reduced crashes caused by low visibility by 50% in Virginia.
- Adapting traffic signals on arterials reduced travel times by 20-50% in Arizona and reduced intersection delays by 20% in Maine.
- Notifying traffic signals of approaching buses reduced late arrivals by 40% in Utah.
- Ramp metering reduced delays by nearly 50% in Minnesota and reduced odds of collisions by 6% in Florida.
- Warning drivers of work zones and providing alternative routes reduced accidents by 44% in Texas.
Project Status
Regular stakeholder engagement and public outreach will occur throughout the project. Our team is working diligently to meet several milestones between now and 2024, including:
- FINALIZE and adopt a Concept of Operations document and begin its implementation.
- CONDUCT environmental studies and produce an environmental document.
- BEGIN the design phase.
For more info about this project, contact:
Stephanie Hu – Director, Projects
Contra Costa Transportation Authority
925.256.4740
StephanieH@ccta.net
